Dr
Peter Fletcher

Email: fletcher@physics.usyd.edu.au
Last Updated – 2009
RESEARCH INTERESTS
According to a little bird
|
|
|
|
The Wave & Particle Nature of the Photoelectric Effect
My ambition is to establish an educational research group focusing
on hands-on science and technology demonstrations across K-20 educational
settings. I believe research into
the effectiveness and outcomes of using hands-on demonstrations would greatly
assist curriculum developers, teachers and teacher educators.
CAREER SUMMARY
Career
experience includes sixteen years in information technology and communications,
twelve years in educational research, two years full–time secondary
teaching and nine years part–time teaching across Technical and Further
Education (TAFE NSW), private tuition, Adult Community Education (ACE),
secondary school and university settings.
If
you ever wondered what a physics education researcher does

Kansas State
University 2005
|
2009 |
Lecturer – Physics
(CASR Project) University
of New England, Armidale |
|
2007
– 2009 |
Lecturer – Science
and Technology Education University
of New England, Armidale |
|
2006
|
Teacher – Software
Design & Development, Science and Physics St
Columba Anglican School, Port Macquarie |
|
2004
– 2005 |
Research Associate –
Physics Education Kansas
State University, Manhattan Kansas USA |
|
2004 |
Teacher Wauchope High
School – Science and Agriculture New
South Wales, Department of School Education |
|
2003
– 2004 |
Tutor – Physics,
Mathematics and Medical Physics Port
Macquarie – Master Coaching College |
|
2002
– 2003 |
Part-time Teacher –
Information Technology and Electro–Technology North
Coast Institute of TAFE, Port Macquarie |
|
2001
– 2002 |
Information Technology
Services Manager – Operations North
Coast Institute of TAFE, Port Macquarie |
|
1996
– 1999 |
Manager – Networks,
Communications and Desktop North
Coast Institute of TAFE, Port Macquarie |
|
1995
– 1996 |
Manager Information
Technology Services South
Western Sydney Institute of TAFE, Macquarie Fields |
|
1996
– 1996 |
Part–time Teacher
– Information Technology Northern
Sydney Institute of TAFE, Gore Hill |
|
1994
– 1995 |
Teacher Riverside Girls
High School – Computing and Physics New
South Wales, Department of School Education |
|
1993
– 1994 |
Instructor / Tutor –
Computers, Physics and Mathematics Hornsby
Ku–ring–gai Community College, Sydney |
|
1990
– 1993 |
Network Planner / Project
Manager Pure
Logic / Contract Australian Broadcasting Corporation |
|
1986
– 1988 |
Communications Engineer /
Systems Programmer Pure
Logic / Contract Electricity Commission of NSW |
|
1985
– 1986 |
Analyst Computer Programmer
Pure
Logic / Sub–contract NSW State Rail Authority |
|
1985
– 1985 |
Computer Programmer Amalgamated
TV Services, ATN 7 |
|
1984
– 1985 |
Computer Programmer PARITY
Computers, Sydney |
EDUCATION
1998 – 2005 Doctor of
Philosophy (Physics Education Research)
Dissertation
– How Tertiary Level Physics Students Learn and
Conceptualise
Quantum Mechanics
School
of Physics, University of Sydney
Sydney,
New South Wales, Australia (Note: Copy available in RESOURCE SECTION below)
2003 Certificate IV
Workplace Assessment and Training
North
Coast Institute of TAFE
Port
Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia
1995 – 1997 Master of
Science (Physics Education Research)
Dissertation
– How Students Learn Quantum Mechanics
School
of Physics, University of Sydney
Sydney,
New South Wales, Australia (Note: Copy available in RESOURCE SECTION below)
1995 Teacher's
Certificate
Department
of School Education
New
South Wales, Australia
1993 Graduate
Diploma in Education (Science Education)
University
of Technology, Sydney
Broadway,
New South Wales, Australia
1989 – 1992 Bachelor of
Science (Double major Mathematics and Physics)
University
of Sydney
Sydney,
New South Wales, Australia
1984 Diploma
Programming Technology
Control
Data Institute
Sydney,
New South Wales, Australia
SCHOLARSHIPS
1999 – 2000 University
of Sydney, School of Physics Research Scholarship
GRANTS
2005 Australian
School Innovation in Science, Technology and Mathematics
Developing Multimedia
Tools for Senior High School Physics
Role – Partner
Organisation: St Columba Anglican School
http://www.asistm.edu.au/successfulr2.asp?st=nsw
2000 – 2001 University
of Sydney, Science Faculty Education Research Grant
How Tertiary Level
Students Learn and conceptualise Quantum
Mechanics –
Across Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics
Role: Project Team
Leader
http://science.uniserve.edu.au/courses/scifer/2000_1pfletcher.html
2000 – 2001 University
of Sydney, Science Faculty Education Research Grant
Integration
of Science Courses
Role:
Team Member representing School of Physics
http://science.uniserve.edu.au/courses/scifer/2000_2ageorge.html
1999 University
of Sydney, Science Foundation Travel Fund Grant
JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS
Student difficulties in learning quantum mechanics,
I.D. Johnston, K. Crawford and P.R. Fletcher, International Journal of Science
Education, 20, No 4, 427–446, 1998.
Physics Education Research: Education or Research?,
I.D. Johnston, I.J. Cooper, P.W. Fekete, P.R. Fletcher, M.A. Oldfield, B.A.
McInnes, R.M. Millar, I.M. Sefton, M.D. Sharma and P.J. Walker, Australian and
New Zealand Physicist, 33, No. 1/2, 9–13, 1996.
CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
A Framework for Integrated Professional Development, N.
Sanjay Rebello & Peter Fletcher in Proceedings of NARST, 2006.
College Students’ Ideas About Some Everyday Electrical Devices, Jacquelyn
Haynicz (Drew University), Peter Fletcher & N. Sanjay Rebello in
Proceedings of NARST, 2006.
Dynamic Transfer and Learning Using a Constructivist-Based
Curriculum, Charles Mamolo, Peter Fletcher & N. Sanjay
Rebello in Proceedings of NARST, 2006.
Students’ Epistemic Modes While Making Sense of Action Movie
Clips, Carina Poltera (Ball State University), Peter
Fletcher & N. Sanjay Rebello in Proceedings of NARST, 2006.
A Framework for Integrated Professional Development, Peter
R. Fletcher & N. Sanjay Rebello, NSTA, San Francisco, CA, 2006.
College Students' Ideas About Some Everyday Electrical Devices, Jacquelyn
Haynicz, Peter R. Fletcher & N. Sanjay Rebello, NSTA, San Francisco, CA,
2006.
Dynamic Transfer and Learning Using a Constructivist-Based
Curriculum, Charles B. Mamolo, Peter R. Fletcher & N.
Sanjay Rebello, NSTA, San Francisco, CA, 2006.
Students Epistemic Modes While Making Sense of Action Movie Clips,
Carina Poltera, Peter R. Fletcher & N.
Sanjay Rebello, NSTA, San Francisco, CA, 2006.
Constructing a Responsive Methodology: Grounded Theory,
Phenomenology and Action Research, Peter
R. Fletcher & N. Sanjay Rebello, Oklahoma City Community College, Oklahoma
City, Oklahoma, 2005.
Professional Development: Case Study with Everyday Electrical
Devices,
N. Sanjay Rebello, Peter R.
Fletcher, Oklahoma City Community College, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 2005
Movie Physics: Transfer of Learning to the Real – World,
Carina Poltera, Peter R. Fletcher and N. Sanjay Rebello, AAPT Summer Meeting,
Salt Lake City, UT, 2005
Movie Physics – Poster,
Carina M. Poltera, Peter R. Fletcher & N. Sanjay Rebello, PERC, Salt Lake
City, UT, 2005.
A Methodological Framework for Physics Education Researcher &
Teacher Professional Development – Poster,
Peter R. Fletcher & N. Sanjay Rebello, PERC, Salt Lake City, UT, 2005.
Student Learning & Dynamic Transfer While Interacting with
Constructing Physics Understanding Curriculum (CPU): A Case Study – Poster,
Charles C. Mamolo, Peter R. Fletcher & N. Sanjay Rebello, PERC, Salt Lake
City, UT, 2005.
Administrative and Methodological Professional Development: Case
Study Everyday Electrical Devices,
N. Sanjay Rebello and Peter Fletcher, AAPT Summer Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT,
2005.
Constructing a Responsive Methodology: Grounded Theory,
Phenomenology, and Action Research,
Peter Fletcher and N. Sanjay Rebello, AAPT
Summer Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT, 2005.
Professional Development: Case Study with Everyday Electrical
Devices, Peter Fletcher and N. Sanjay Rebello, AAPT
Summer Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT, 2005.
Operational View of Quantum Mechanics – Poster,
Peter Fletcher Ian D Johnston AAPT Summer Meeting: Salt Lake City, UT, 2005.
Managing Cognitive Conflict in a Teaching Interview,
Peter R. Fletcher , Foundations & Frontiers of PER Conference Bar Harbor,
ME, August 15-19, 2005.
Teaching Quantum Mechanics,
P.R. Fletcher, 130th American Association of Physics Teachers 2005 Winter
Meeting, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America, Jan. 8-12, 2005
Analogies for Teaching and Assessing - Trick or Treat?,
P.R. Fletcher, American Association of Physics Teachers,
Arkansas-Oklahoma-Kansas Section Meeting, Little Rock, AR, United States of
America, Oct 8-9, 2004.
How tertiary level Physics and Chemistry students learn to
conceptualise quantum mechanics, P.R. Fletcher, 14th
National Congress of the Australian Institute of Physics, Adelaide SA,
Australia, 2000.
Quantum Mechanics Exploring Conceptual Change,
P.R. Fletcher and I.D. Johnston, National Association for Research in Science,
Teaching Annual Meeting, Boston MA, United States of America, 1999.
How Students Learn Quantum Mechanics,
P.R. Fletcher and I.D. Johnston, 13th National Congress of the Australian
Institute of Physics, Fremantle WA, Australia, 1998.
How Students Learn Quantum Mechanics,
P.R. Fletcher, I.D. Johnston and K. Crawford, 12th Australian Institute of
Physics Congress, Hobart TAS, Australia, 1996.
Research Grant Progress Report,
University of Sydney Science Education Research Group, March 2001.
How Students Learn Quantum Mechanics,
University of Maryland, Department of Physics Seminar, 1999.
How Students Learn Quantum Mechanics,
University of Sydney, School of Physics Colloquia, 1997.
Australian
College of Educators, Member (2005 –
present)
University
of Sydney, School of Physics, Honorary Associate (2004
– present)
Royal
Astronomical Society, Fellow (1998 –
present)
Port
Macquarie Astronomical Association
(1997 – 2005)
President (2001 – 2003), Vice President
(1998 – 2000),
Treasurer (2002 – 2004), Technical Officer
(1998 – 2004)
University
of Sydney, Physics Education Research Group, Member (1994
– present)
Teacher Resources
If you are a teacher and need any of the
following
NSW Preliminary and
HSC Physics
Program
Assessment
Tasks
NSW Preliminary and
HSC Software Design and Development
Program
Assessment
Tasks
I am happy to email you a copy of mine
Also Charles Sturt University is an excellent
place to find information http://hsc.csu.edu.au/
Quantum Mechanics Research
PhD
Dissertation – How Tertiary Level Physics Students Learn and
Conceptualise Quantum Mechanics
School of Physics, University of
Sydney
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Title
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/PhDaaaaTitle2AckvFINALprinted.doc
Table of Contents
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/PhDaaadTOCvFINALprinted.doc
Chapters
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/PhDaaChap01vFINALprinted.doc
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/PhDaaChap02vFINALprinted.doc
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/PhDaaChap03vFINALprinted.doc
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/PhDaaChap04vFINALprinted.doc
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/PhDaaChap05vFINALprinted.doc
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/PhDaaChap06vFINALprinted.doc
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/PhDaaChap07vFINALprinted.doc
Appendices
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/PhDbbApp00vFINALprinted.doc
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/PhDbbApp01vFINALprinted.doc
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/PhDbbApp02vFINALprinted.doc
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/PhDbbApp03vFINALprinted.doc
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/PhDbbApp04vFINALprinted.doc
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/PhDbbApp05vFINALprinted.doc
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/PhDbbApp06aTITLEvFINALprinted.doc
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/PhDbbApp06bRAWDATAvFINALprinted.xls
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/PhDbbApp07vFINALprinted.doc
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/PhDbbApp08vFINALprinted.doc
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/PhDbbApp09vFINALprinted.doc
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/PhDbbApp10vFINALprinted.doc
MSc
Dissertation – How Students Learn Quantum Mechanics
School of Physics, University of
Sydney
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Title and Index
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/Int_vf.doc
Chapters
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/Ch1_vf.doc
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/Ch2_vf.doc
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/Ch3_vf.doc
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/Ch4_vf.doc
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/Ch5_vf.doc
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/Ch6_vf.doc
Appendices
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/Ap1_vf.doc
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/Ap2_vf.doc
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/Ap3_vf.doc
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/Ap4_vf.doc
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/Ap5_vf.doc
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/Ap6_vf.doc
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~fletcher/Ap7_vf.doc
Where
Physicists Choose to Shop

Only in
America
This
is Tumble Weed Kansas Style

WANTED
- Do you know this Rebel Man?

circa
2004
Sometimes
Educational Reform Data just spontaneously appears

I
snapped this shot at about 3am Thursday 24 June 2005
The
“virtual boardicle” was gone by 5am…
Heisenberg
was working the late shift
Now
this is a Team!

circa
2005
These
people work in Physics Departments …
|
|
|
|